Crucible support



D@ 31, 1940. R, D YORK 2,226,651

CRUGIBLE SUPPORT Original Filed Dec. 16, 1938 2 Shets-Sheet l R. D. YORK 2,226,651

CRUCIBLE SUPPORT Original Filed Deo. 16, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Dec. 31, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CRUCIBLE SUPPORT `Raymond D. York,University, Va., assigner to Raymond D. York, as trustee 15 claims.

This invention relates to Crucible supports, and is a division of my copending application Serial No. 246,236, led December 16, 1938.

In my copending application referred to, I have shown and described a Crucible supporting structure adapted for use particularly with heavy crucibles and provided with means for supporting the Crucible for turning movement to a pouring position. The mechanism includes means for moving Crucible engaging elements into engagement with the Crucible to permit it to be lifted, and further comprises a novel handle arrangement to permit an operator to tilt the Crucible to pour metal therefrom. Such handle construction and the means for retaining it in operative position form the subject matter .of the copending application referred to. l

An important object of the present invention is to provide a novel Crucible support which will permit the Crucible to be tilted after it has been removed from the furnace to pour molten metal therefrom without releasing the cruciblefrom its support.

A further object is to provide a Crucible supporting unit having means engageable with the Crucible to permit its removal from the furnace and to provide a supporting structure for such unit whereby it may be elevated to be moved to the pouring point, the unit and the supporting structure therefor being pivotally connected for turning movement on a horizontal axis to permit the pouring of the metal from the Crucible.

A further object is to provide an apparatus of the character referred to having a supporting unit of a novel form including movable levers carrying jaws engageable with the Crucible, together with means arranged wholly outwardly of the jaw elements and the body of the supporting unit for pivotally connectingV the latter to the supporting structure to facilitate the pouring operation.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent during the course of the following description.

In the drawings I have shown one embodiment of the invention. In this showing:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of the mechanism showing a Crucible `supported thereby,

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Figure l,

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3--3 of Figure 1,

Figure 4 is a sectional View taken on line 4-4 of Figure 1, parts being shown in elevation and parts being broken away,

Figure 5 is a sectional View taken on line 5 5 of Figure l, and,

Figure 6 is a detail perspective view of one of the Crucible-engaging jaw elements.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral IB designates a Crucible supported by an article supporting unit indicated as a Whole by the numeral II.- This unit is rotatably carried by a supporting structure indicated as a whole by the numeral I2 for turning or tilting movement relative thereto in a manner to be described.

The supporting unit II comprises a vertical member I3 and oppositely projecting integral parallel horizontal members I4 rigidly formed on the lower end thereof. The ends of the horizontal members I4 are turned downwardly to provide depending pairs of spaced vertical members I6.

A pair of arms I8 are respectively pivoted to the pairs of vertical members I6 by bolts 20, each arm I3 lying between the members of the associated pair I6 for a purpose to be described. Crucible gripping members 2l are carried by the lower ends of the arms I8 and are movable into or out of engagement with the Crucible I0 upon pivotal movement of the arms I8 about the pivot bolts 29. The members 2| are deta-chably conp nected to the arms I8 in a manner to be described.

A shaft 23 is provided to effect pivotal movement of the arms I8 and a consequent movement of the Crucible gripping members 2| into or out of engagement with the Crucible IU. The vertical member I3 of the supporting unit II provides a journal 24 for the shaft 23. Endwise movement of the shaft 23 relative to the vertical member I3 is prevented by collars 25v which are secured to the shaft 23 by pins 21, the collars 25 abutting vertical faces of the member I3. The respective ends 29 and 30 of the shaft 23 are threaded in opposite directions to provide conventional right hand threads on the end 29 ,Y and left hand threads on the end 30. The shaft 23 is preferably squared at both ends as at 3l in order that a wrench may be used at either end .of the shaft to rotate it.

Trunnion cradles 33 are provided on the re- 1 spective upper ends of the arms I8. Each of the trunnion cradles 33 is provided with spaced pairs of vertical members 35 to receive trunnions 36. The trunnions are carried by sleeves 3l internally threaded for engagement with the threaded portions of the shaft 23. Bolts 46 extend through the members 35 transversely of the trunnions 36 to prevent disengagement thereof from the respective cradles 33.

By reason of the oppositely threaded ends 29 and 30 of the shaft 23 having engagement with the internally threaded sleeves 31, it will be apparent that rotation of the shaft 23 will cause pivotal movement of the members IB about the bolts 26 in a manner which will effect simultaneous movement of the crucible gripping members 2| into or out of engagement with the crucible I0.

The gripping members 2| are frictionally engageable with the sides of the crucible I and have their gripping surfaces shaped to conform to the shape of the crucible. Each of the gripping members 2| is removably secured to the lower end of one of the members I8 in order that various sizes of the gripping members may be used according to the crucible to be supported thereby. Each of the gripping members 2| is provided with a pair of lugs 4I spaced from each other a distance approximately equal to the thickness of each of the members I8. Abutments 42 are formed on the lower ends of the members I8 and for the purpose of providing a key fit of the lugs 4| with the abutments 42, it will be noted that the contacting faces of these elements slope inwardly and upwardly as at 43 toward the article to be engaged. Openings 44 are formed in the members I 8 to receive wedges 45 which are driven into engagement with the upper edges of the lugs 4| to securely hold the lower edges thereof in engagement with the abutments 42. The mechanism for detachably securing the gripping members to their supporting members is illustrated and described in my copending application Serial No. 232,005, led September 27, 1938.

Means are preferably provided to properly position the members 2| with respect to the sides of the crucible. To this end, an adjustable positioning plate 46 is provided which may be brought into contact with the top 41 of the crucible. Pairs of ngers 48 are formed on the plate 46 and are spaced to provide elongated slots 49. The fingers 48 are positioned and slidable between the members |4 in order that the plate 46 and the top of theA crucible 41 will be properly positioned relative to the supporting unit according to the size of the crucible to be supported. To secure the plate 46 to the arms I4, bolts 5|! are provided which pass through the slots 49. The 'bolts 50 are provided with enlarged rectangular heads 5I which frictionally engage the lingers 48 as at 52. Openings are provided in one of the arms I4 corresponding to the shape of the heads 5I to prevent turning movement of the bolts 50 relative t the members I4. Nuts 53 are provided for the purpose of securely clamping the fingers 48 and plate 46 in any desired position according to the size of the crucible to be used. The mechanism for positioning the gripping members relative to the top 41 of the crucible I0 is described in my above mentioned copending application.

In order that the crucible |0 after its removal from the furnace may be tilted to pour molten metal therefrom, it is desirable to connect the supporting unit II for turning movement relative to the supporting structure I2.

To this end, a trunnion 54 is preferably formed integral with which provide circular trackways for the lower looped ends of substantially U-shaped members 56 connecting the crucible supporting unit |I to the supporting structure I2 in a manner tobe described.

The supporting structure I2 comprises a horizontal member B provided with an eye 59 which may be connected to a hook 60 of anyvsuitable lifting apparatus. The members 56 are formed from metal rods which are doubled back on themselves and are suspended from the horizontal member 58 by nuts 6|. Lock nuts 62 are provided to prevent upward movement of the members 56 relative to the horizontal member 58. By doubling the rods 56 back on each other, the ends of each rod, which are connected to the horizontal member 58, are parallel to and spaced from each other and the mid-portions 63 are formed in the shape of a semi-circle for sliding engagement with the groove 55. Spacing members 65 are connected between the parallel portions of each of the members 56 immediately above the trunnions 54 to prevent any spreading motion of the parallel portions of the members 56 adjacent the trunnions 54 which would permit disengagement of the semi-circular portions of the members 56 from the circular grooves 55.

It will be seen that the above described arrangement provides a vpivotal support in the nature of a trunnion for the crucible supporting unit However, it is desirable that the crucible supporting unit may be rotated relative to the supporting structure I2 with a minimum of effort and, accordingly the horizontal axis 66 of the trunnions 54 about which the turning movement takes place is preferably located adjacent the center of gravity of the supporting unit II and the crucible IIJ supported thereby. Moreover, it is desirable that the unit I and the crucible I6 normally occupy a vertical position relative to the supporting structure I2 and, accordingly, the horizontal axis 66 is preferably located slightly above the center of gravity of the unit |I and the crucible Ill supported thereby.

A handle 61 is provided to enable an operator to tilt the crucible for the purpose of pouring molten metal therefrom. The handle 61 has a cylindrical opening 68 formed in one end thereof for engagement with a member 69 `projecting from the vertical member I3 of the supporting unit The member 69 is secured to the vertical member |3 by any suitable means such as the rivets 10.

A collar 1| is formed on the end of the handle 61 and is engageable with a detent 12 to prevent disengagement of the lever 61 from the member 69 during that time in which the crucible I0 is tilted to pour metal therefrom. The detent 12 is pivotally connected to the vertical member I3 by a pivot pin 13 and is provided with a counterweight 14 which will maintain the point 12' of the detent 12 in constant engagement with the handle 61. Any disengaging movement of the lever 61 from its support 69 will operate to jamb the collar 1| against the point 12 of the detent 12, and to remove the lever 61 it will first be necessary to raise the counterweight 14 and thereby allow the collar 1I to clear the point 12 on the detent 12. It will be apparent that this arrangement will securely prevent disengagement of the lever 61 from the member 69.

During the removal of the crucible IIJ from a furnace, it is desirable to provide means for retaining the unit I I in a substantially vertical position relative to the supporting structure I2. To this end, an abutment 15 is preferably formed in- 'I6 to permit turning movement of the unit II to the left, as viewed in` Figure 4. The plate 'I1 is provided with a slot 'I9` through which the handle 'I8 protrudes whereby manual actuation of the pawl 'I6 will be permitted.

In order that the unit II may be returned to its normal vertical position and locked in such position without the necessity of actuating the pawl or latch i6, the upper surface 8l] of the member I 3 is inclined to provide a cam surface as shown in Figure 4. The bottom edge 8| of the pawl I6 has a similar inclination or is rounded to secure a camming action which will cause the pawl 'It to automatically ride up the surface 80 upon return of the unit II to its normal vertical position. It will be apparent that the l-atch 'I6 will drop to lock the unit I I to its normal vertical position as soon as such position is reached.

The operation of the apparatus is as follows:

The plate 46 is adjusted in order that the gripping members ZI will be properly positioned relative to the sides of the crucible. When the parts of the apparatus are in normal position, the latch I6 will be operative to prevent turning movement of the crucible supporting unit I I relative to the supporting structure I2.

The mechanism may be lowered by the hook 60 until the plate 46 contacts .the upper edge 41 of the crucible III. The mechanism will then be in a position for the gripping members 2| to properly engage the sides of the crucible II). This is accomplished by applying a wrench to either end 3| of the shaft 23 and rotating this shaft to cause movement of the trunnions away from each other. Such movement of the trunnions 3S will impart a similar movement to the cradles 33 on the respective upper ends of the pivotally mounted members I8 whereby the crucible gripping members 2I on the respective lower ends of the members I8 will be moved into engagement with the crucible IIJ. In such position the apparatus is operable to furnish a support by which the crucible can be transported.

When it is desired to tilt the crucible for the purpose of pouring molten metal therefrom, the operator will slip the open end 68 of the handle 61 downwardly over the projecting member 69 secured to the supporting unit I I. It will be apparent that prior to such application of the handle 6l to the member 69, the point I2 on the detent 'I2 will have been in engagement with the member 69. Upon downward movement of the handle 61 relative to the member 69, the collar 'II will contact the detent l2 and c-am the same out of engagement with the member 69. As soon as the collar II passes the point I2 on the detent l2, the counterweight 'I4 will cause a pivotal movement of the detent 'I2 into engagem-ent with the handle 61 at a point above the collar 1I. In this position, it will be apparent that the detent I2 will be operable to prevent accidental disengagement of the lever 5l from the member B9.

Before a turning or tilting movement can be imparted to the crucible supporting unit I I relative to the supporting structure I2, it will be necessary'for the operator to raise the handle 18 and latch I8-. After releasing the latch 'I6 from engagement with the crucible supporting unit I I, the latter and the crucible supported thereby may be rotated to a position such as that shown in dotted lines in Figure 4 for the purpose of pouring molten metal.

It obviously is desirable that the operator exert a force at right angle to the handle 61 to tilt the crucible, and if this operation is carefully performed, there is no danger that the handle will become detached. Carelessness in handling an apparatus of this character is frequent, however, and in order to prevent injury to an operator or other nearby workman, the present construction provides means for positively preventing accidental detachment of the handle 61 from the projection 69. Regardless of any endwise pull on the handle 69, the engagement of the flange II with the detent I2 will positively prevent detachment of the handle, and accordingly the crucible cannot swing back to its normal position except under the control of the operator. Thus the apparatus provides means for preventing serious and painful injuries to operators.

After a pouring operation has been completed, th-e operator may reduce the pull on the handle 61 to permit the parts to swing back to their normal position. As such position is approached, the cam face 80 will engage and lift the latch 16, and when the vertical member I3 reaches its normal position, thev latch 'I6 will drop to operative position and the entire crucible supporting unit II will be prevented from swinging. The handle may be readily detached, when desired, by manually lifting the counterweight 'I4 to move the detent 'l2 away from the ange 'I I, whereupon the handle may be moved endwiseto disconnect it from the projection 69.

It will be apparent that the apparatus herein illustrated and described furnishes a convenient means for supporting a crucible. By having the crucible supporting mechanism rotatably mounted with respect to a supporting structure, a convenientl means for pouring molten metal from the crucible is provided. In addition, the locking mechanism is effective to prevent any un controlled movement of the crucible supporting unit relative to the supporting structure.

Attention is invited to the fact that the present mechanism is particularly intended for use yin pouring large crucibles having substantial amounts of metal therein whereby the apparatus is subjected to relatively heavy loads. The gripping jaws are operative by the screw mechanism which is rotatably supported by the upstanding member I3 and fixed thereby against axial movement. Moreover, the levers I8 are arranged between the elements of each pair of arms I6, and accordingly the combination of elements referred to'provides a supporting unit for the crucible, all of the elements of which are effectively iixed against relative movement when the jaws 2| are clamped about the crucible. The relatively heavy U-shaped construction of the members I4 and I5 facilitates the supporting of the relatively heavy load by suspending the trunnions 54 at the lower ends of the pairs of rods 56, and these pairs of rods are effectively supported by the heavy' cross member 58. The trunnions 54 are carried by and are preferably integral with the supporting unit comprising the members I3, I4 and I6, and the trunnions are arranged wholly outwardly of the adjacent parts of the mechanism, such as the levers I8, to permit swinging movement of all of the elements except the supporting structure comprising the rods 56 and crossmembers 58, when metal is to be poured from the crucible.

It is to be understood that the form of the invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same and that various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

I claim:

1. A device of the character described comprising a supporting structure having a pair of spaced parallel depending arms, a supporting unit having a pair of spaced parallel arms arranged between and respectively adjacent the arms of said supporting structure, a pair of levers pivotally connected to said unit and having article engaging members at their lower ends, means for swinging said levers to engage said members with an article, and trunnions carried by and projecting outwardly from the lower ends of the arms of said supporting unit and rotatably supported by the lower ends of the arms of said supporting structure whereby said unit is adapted to swing on a horizontal axis.

2. A device of the character described comprising a substantially inverted U-shaped supporting structure and a substantially inverted U-shaped Supporting unit arranged within said structure with the arms thereof arranged respectively adjacent vand inwardly of the arms of said supporting structure, a pair of levers pivoted to said supporting unit on horizontal axes and having article gripping members at their lower ends, means for swinging said levers to engage said members with an article, and trunnions carried by the depending arms of said unit at the lower ends thereof and journaled in the lower ends of the arms of said supporting structure whereby said unit is adapted to swing on a horizontal axis.

3. A device of the character described comprising a supporting structure and an article supporting unit carried thereby and comprising article gripping devices, said supporting structure comprising a pair of depending U-shaped members at opposite sides of said unit, said supporting unit having trunnions rotatable in the lower looped ends of said U-shaped members, and a keeper connected between the arms of each of said U-shaped members above said trunnions.

4. A device of the character described comprising a supporting. unit and a supporting structure, said unit comprising a substantially inverted U-shaped frame, an arm pivoted to the lower end of each arm of said frame, means for effecting relative movement of the lower ends of said pivoted arms toward and away from each other, and an article engaging member carried by the lower end of each pivoted arm, said supporting structure comprising a pair of substantially U-shaped supporting elements, and trunnions carried by the lower ends of the arms of said frame and rotatable in the looped lower ends of said supporting elements. l

5. A device of the character described comprising a supporting unit, a pair of levers pivotally connected to said unit and having article engaging members at their lower ends, means for swinging said levers to engage said members with an article, a supporting structure having a pair of depending spaced arms, and trunnions carried by said supporting unit and arranged wholly outwardly of said levers and rotatably supported by said arms whereby said supporting unit is adapted to swing on a horizontal axis.

6. A device of the character described comprising a supporting unit comprising an inverted U- shaped structure having depending arms, means connected to said arms and having portions engageable with an article to be supported, a supporting structure having spaced bearing members, and trunnions carried by the arms of said supporting unit and rotatable in said bearings, said trunnions and said bearings being arranged wholly outwardly of said means.

7. A device of the character described comprising a supporting unit comprising an inverted U-shaped structure having depending arms, a lever pivotally connected to each arm of said supporting unit and having article engaging members at'their lower ends, means for swinging said levers to engage said members with an article to be supported, a supporting structure having spaced bearing members, and trunnions carried by the arms of said supporting unit and rotatable in said bearings, said bearings and said trunnions being arranged wholly outwardly of said levers.

8. A device of the character described comprising a supporting unit comprising an inverted U-shaped structure having depending arms, means connected to said arms and having portions engageable with an article to be supported, a supporting structure having spaced bearing members, and trunnions carried by the arms of said supporting unit and rotatable in said bearings, said trunnions and said bearings being arranged wholly outwardly of said means, said supporting structure comprising a horizontal transverse member, and spaced depending arm structures by the lower ends of which said bearings are carried.

9. A device of the character described comprising a supporting unit comprising an inverted U-shaped structure having depending arms, a lever pivotally connected to each arm of said supporting unit and having article engaging members at their lower ends, means for swinging said levers to engage said membersl with an article to be supported, a supporting structure having spaced bearing members, and trunnions carried by the arms of said supporting unit and rotatable in said bearings, said bearings and said trunnions being arranged wholly outwardly of said levers, said supporting structure comprising a horizontal transverse member, and spaced ldepending arm structures by the lower ends of which said bearings are carried.

10. A device of the character described comprising a supporting unit having a horizontal transverse member and depending arm structures at opposite ends thereof, each arm structure comprising a pair of parallel spaced elements, a lever arranged between and pivotally connected to the spaced elements of each pair, article engaging members on the lower ends of said levers, means for swinging said levers to eiect movement of said article engaging members into engagement with an article, -a pair of spaced bearings, and trunnions carried by said supporting unit and rotatable in said bearings whereby said supporting unit is adap-ted to turn on a horizontal axis, said bearings and said trunnions. being arranged wholly outwardly of said levers.

11. A device of the character described comprising a supporting unit having a horizontal transverse member and depending arm structures at opposite ends thereof, each arm structure 75 comprising a pair of parallel spaced elements, a lever arranged between and pivotally connected to the spaced elements of each pair, article engaging members on the lower ends of said levers, a horizontal shaft having oppositely threaded ends connected to impart movement to the upper ends of said levers upon rotation of said shaft, said supporting unit having an upstanding member rigid therewith through which said shaft extends, a pair of spaced bearings, and trunnions carried by said supporting unit and rotatable in said bearings whereby said supporting unit is adapted to turn on la horizontal axis, said bearings and said trunnions being arranged wholly outwardly of said levers.

12. A device of the character described comprising a supporting unit having a horizontal transverse member and depending arm structures vat opposite ends thereof, each arm structure comprising a pair of parallel spaced elements, a lever arranged between and pivotally connected to the spaced elements of each pair, article engaging members on the lower ends of said levers, means for swinging said levers to effeet movement of said article engaging members into engagement with an article, a pair of spaced bearings, trunnions carried by said supporting unit and rotatable in said bearings whereby said supporting unit is adapted to turn on a horizontal axis, said bearings and said trunnions being arranged wholly outwardly of said levers, and a supporting structure comprising a horizontal transverse member, and depending arm structures at opposite ends of such member, said bearings respectively forming parts of the lower ends of said last named arm structures.

13. A device of the character described com-v prising a supporting unit having a horizont-al transverse member `and depending arm structures Iat opposite ends thereof, each arm structure comwhereby said supporting unit is adapted to turn on a horizontal axis, said bearings and said trunnions being arranged wholly outwardly of said levers, and a supporting structure comprising a horizontal transverse member, and depending 'arm structures at opposite ends of such member,

said bearings respectively forming parts of the lower ends of said last named arm structures.

14. A device of the character described comprising a supporting unit having a horizontal member and depending arm structures at opposite ends thereof each of which comprises parallel spaced elements, a lever arranged between and pivotally connected to the spaced elements of each pair, article engaging members carried by the lower ends of said levers, means connected between the upper ends of said levers for eiecting swinging movement of said levers to move said article engaging members into engagement with an article, a supporting structure comprising a pair of substantially U-shaped spaced rods having loop portions intermediate their ends forming a bearing, and trunnions carried by said supporting unit and rotatable in said bearings whereby said supporting unit is adapted to swing `on a horizontal axis, said trunnions and said rmember and depending arm structures at opposite ends thereof each of which comprises parallel spaced elements, a lever arranged between and pivotally connected to the spaced elements of each pair, article engaging members carried by the lower ends of said levers, means connected between the upper ends of said levers for effecting swinging movement of said levers to move sai-d article engaging members into engagement with an ar-ticle, a supporting structure' comprising a pair of substantially U-shaped spaced rods having loop portions intermediate their ends forming a bearing, trunnions carried by said supporting unit and rotatable in said bearings whereby said supporting unit is adapted to swing on a horizontal axis, said trunnions and said bearings being arranged wholly outwardly of said levers, and a keeper connected between the arms of each U-shaped rod above the associated trunnion to prevent upward movement of the latter.

RAYMOND D. YORK. 

